Pats Potatoes Recipes

PAT'S AU GRATIN POTATOES

Steps:

• Melt butter.
• Add flour and salt; stir until well blended.
• Add milk gradually, stirring constantly.
• When thickened, add grated cheese.
• Remove from heat.
• Place potatoes in greased baking dish.
• Cover with sauce.
• Bake at 400° for 30-40 minutes.
• Serves 4.
• My brother used to call these "rotten potatoes", but they are really good.

PAT'S BBQ HOME-FRIED POTATOES

Steps:

• In a saucepan over low heat, add the potatoes and cover with cold water by 2 inches. Simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 6 minutes. Drain the potatoes in a colander and reserve.
• While the potatoes are cooking, heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the onion and peppers and saute until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove the vegetables to a bowl and reserve.
• Into the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the potatoes in a single layer. Let cook for 4 to 5 minutes so they form a slight crust. Turn the potatoes and continue to cook for 3 to 4 more minutes. Add the paprika and seasoning and continue to stir until the potatoes are cooked and crisp. Stir in the onion and bell pepper mixture. Season again with salt. Remove to a serving dish and garnish with parsley.

PAT'S POTATO PIEROGIS "ELEGANTE"

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, add flour, salt, cream cheese, egg, butter, and milk. With your hands mix together until dough forms a ball. Turn out on a floured board and knead until smooth. You may add a little more flour to make the dough pliable. Divide dough into fourths. Put the pieces under a damp cloth, so it won't dry out. Roll the first piece to 1/4 inch of thickness and cut with a 3-inch cookie cutter or a glass. Put pierogi rounds under damp cloth while cutting the rest.
• Filling: This may be made ahead of time! Mash hot potatoes. Saute onion in the butter and add this to the hot mashed potatoes along with the cheddar cheese, salt and pepper. You may add a little milk if too dense. The consistency should be a little thicker than mashed potatoes.
• Assembly of pierogis: For each pierogi, place 1 tablespoon of potato mixture in the center of the dough circle. Fold over to form a half circle. Seal edges by pinching together with your fingers. I then take a fork and press all along the edges. Repeat with remaining dough filling.
• Cooking pierogis: Fill a large pot half full with water and bring to a boil. Drop 5 or 6 pierogis in at a time. When they float to the top, cook for 1 minute. Place in a colander to drain. They will stick to paper towels. Repeat with remaining pierogis.
• Frying pierogis: In a large frying pan saute onion in butter and remove onion to a separate bowl. Place pierogis in pan and cook for 2 mintues on each side. You may have to add more butter for frying. Remove and place in a covered casserole dish. When all pierogis are prepared, pour sauteed onion over the top. Serve with sour cream or applesauce.

POTATO PATS

Steps:

• Stir together potatoes, onion, flour, salt, baking powder and pepper in a medium bowl.
• Whisk together egg, cream, mustard and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl.
• Stir into potato mixture.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Drop mixture into oil, forming 6 patties.
• Cook, covered, until browned on on side, about 10 minutes.
• Turn patties; cook on second side until tender and browned.

PAT'S BAKED POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Place the potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
• Meanwhile, place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate, then crumble. Set the bacon aside.
• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch square baking dish.
• Combine the potatoes, Cheddar cheese, relish, onion, and olives in a large bowl. Stir in the mayonnaise, celery salt, and black pepper. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, and sprinkle with bacon.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the potatoes are browned and the cheese is melted, about 45 minutes.

PAT'S POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine potatoes, onion and parsley. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Pour over potatoes and mix well. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Salad can be prepared a day ahead.

PASTA WITH POTATOES

Steps:

• Put several cups of water in a pot on stove, and keep it at a simmer. Place olive oil in a large saucepan, and turn heat to medium. If you're using pancetta or bacon, add it to the oil and cook, stirring occasionally, until it becomes slightly crisp, about 10 minutes. (If you are omitting the meat, proceed to the next step.)
• Add potatoes, garlic and chiles and raise the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes begin to brown all over, about 10 minutes.
• Add tomatoes and their juice, along with 2 cups of the simmering water, and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to medium-low, and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally to break up the tomatoes and prevent sticking.
• While potato mixture is cooking, break long dried pasta, like spaghetti, into several lengths; place cut pasta, like ziti, in a bag, and break it up with the back of a pot or a hammer. After potato mixture has simmered for about 10 minutes, add pasta and plenty of salt and pepper to pot. Simmer, stirring and adding the simmering water as necessary; mixture should remain thick and stewy, never dry.
• When potatoes are tender and pasta quite tender - this will take 20 minutes or more - the dish is done. (It may be covered and refrigerated for a day or two, or put in a closed container and frozen for several weeks; it's likely that you will need to add more liquid when you reheat.) Check the seasoning, and add some crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper or salt if needed. Serve hot, in bowls.